Hi

One of the commonest organisms you might find if you look in the sediments of say a bird bath, is a rotifer that can move a bit like a leech. i.e. in a looping fashion. I was lucky one day to find a rotifer of this type that had a live youngster inside, and better still she decided to give birth while I studied her under my microscope!

Here's a few stills from the video tape I took to record the event.

Rotifers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes but many species are common. Many rotifers don't give birth to live young like this species shown; many form eggs instead.

Always keep a lookout while pond dipping as you never know when the unexpected may occur.

Good hunting!

Dave Walker


Objective 10x.
 
The mother about 0.5mm long with the youngster inside.
[img]http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/dww/forum/rotif1.jpg[/img]

The mother contracts and releases the youngster from her rear end. The youngster has half emerged here.
[img]http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/dww/forum/rotif2.jpg[/img]

The tired mother afterwards. 
[img]http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/dww/forum/rotif3.jpg[/img]

The youngster however, almost as big as 'mum', was very active and keen to explore the world! Head on right.
[img]http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/dww/forum/rotif4.jpg[/img]